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Sports

Marko Simonović hopes to earn a Chicago Bulls rotation spot after bulking up in the offseason: ‘I’m ready to work’

There was a general consensus throughout the first four days of Chicago Bulls summer league — Marko Simonović bulked up in the offseason.Simonović’s growth earned him immediate praise from summer league coach John Bryant and the Bulls staff in the first days of training.Advertisement“I’m so happy to hear that because I’m really working on it,” Simonović said Tuesday. “Every day I try to improve my body and put some muscles on.”Simonović weighed 215 pounds when he arrived in Chicago as a newly drafted rookie out of Serbia. The center said he bulked up to 240 pounds in the last year, a 25-pound increase that’s most visible across the expanse of his shoulders and chest. The Bulls media guide, for the record, still lists Simonović at 220 pounds.AdvertisementAfter debuting for the Bulls in November, Simonović played most of his rookie ball with the Windy City Bulls in the G League. Although he rotated into Bulls practices throughout the season, Simonović spent most of the final months of the season away from the first team.So his newfound size and strength came as a surprise to some of the coaching staff when he walked into the gym this month.“He’s eating at least,” Bryant joked Tuesday after Simonović’s first practice with the summer league roster.But the center says he didn’t have to adjust his diet.Bryant — who works with the Bulls’ big men during the season — said Simonović’s size was a promising sign for the young center. Rim protection and paint production are two points of emphasis for the Bulls, who operate with a smaller lineup that often allows opponents to play bully ball down low.Bryant feels the second-year center still needs to work on his ability to finish through contact, a skill that will only be helped with increased size and muscle mass.Simonović noted his pick-and-pop skills improved throughout his rookie season, which could allow him to slot in as a like-for-like backup for starting center Nikola Vučević.“His hands have gotten better along with his body,” Bryant said. “He’s very much improved, particularly in pick-and-roll play.”AdvertisementChicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Simonović traveled home to Europe for part of the summer but kept his sights set on the summer league. While abroad, he trained with Vučević, who speaks Serbian and offered advice about transitioning to the NBA.The Balkan connection has been strong for the Bulls all summer — the pair linked up with fellow Serbian Nikola Jovanović to train during the offseason, and Vučević helped recruit shooting guard Goran Dragić to Chicago during free agency.Simonović said the relationship with Vučević has been vital to his growth in Chicago.“He’s like my big brother here,” Simonović said. “He helped me on the court and off of the court.”Despite Simonović’s growth over the last year, Bryant said he still wasn’t sure if Simonović will be ready to become a full-time member of the Bulls rotation next season. The Bulls acquired center Andre Drummond in one of only two free-agency acquisitions outside of re-signing Zach LaVine.But Simonović feels he has grown enough to be a consistent feature of the Bulls rotation, even if those minutes come as a role player.Advertisement“This is a process,” Simonović said. “I know that it’s not all in one year. This is is a process and I need the time to understand everything and to learn everything. … I’m ready to work. I’ve been working every day to be better and to get some minutes in the NBA.”

Sports

The WNBA All-Star Game is this weekend at Wintrust Arena. Here’s everything you need to know about the festivities.

Chicago is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time this weekend at Wintrust Arena — home of the defending champion Sky. There will be several festivities to observe and partake in at the 10,387-seat venue and surrounding area, so here’s a breakdown of what to know, what to see, where to go and how to get there.The All-Star Game will be played at noon Sunday at Wintrust Arena and will air on ABC-7. Other major events this weekend include the 3-point contest and skills challenge, which will be carried on ESPN at 2 p.m. Saturday.AdvertisementThe WNBA switched to a team-captain format in 2018, and this year’s teams are led by A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm. Aces coach Becky Hammon will serve as the coach of Team Wilson, while the Sky’s James Wade will coach Team Stewart.Sky star Candace Parker was selected with the No. 1 pick in the All-Star selection draft.AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 46Candace Parker poses for a photo with her mother Natasha Parker and others inside Wintrust Arena before the parade and rally on Oct. 19, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)Team WilsonKelsey PlumGuard, Aces, 1st All-Star selection.Plum was named the 2021 Sixth Player of the Year and won a gold medal in 3×3 in the 2021 Olympic Games.Sabrina IonescuGuard, New York Liberty, 1st All-Star selection.After a decorated college career at Oregon, Ionescu was the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft.Candace ParkerAdvertisementForward, Sky, 7th All-Star selection.The Naperville Central alumna is a two-time WNBA champion and two-time WNBA MVP.A’ja Wilson (captain)Forward, Aces, 4th All-Star selection.Wilson was rookie of the year in 2018 and WNBA MVP in 2020.Sylvia FowlesAdvertisementCenter, Minnesota Lynx, 8th All-Star selection.Fowles, who started her WNBA career with the Sky in 2008, announced that 2022 will be her final season. She is a former WNBA MVP, two-time Finals MVP and two-time league champion.Reserves: Ariel Atkins (G, Washington Mystics), Rhyne Howard (G, Atlanta Dream), Courtney Vandersloot (G, Sky), Dearica Hamby (F, Aces), Natasha Howard (F, Liberty) and Brionna Jones (F, Sun).Team StewartSue BirdGuard, Storm, 13th All-Star selection.AdvertisementBird, a four-time WNBA champion, announced that this season would be her last.Jackie YoungGuard, Aces, 1st All-Star selection.Drafted in 2019, Young is the second Notre Dame player to be selected No. 1 overall.Breanna Stewart (captain)Forward, Storm, 4th All-Star selection.AdvertisementStewart is a former WNBA MVP, two-time Finals MVP and three-time league champion.Nneka OgwumikeForward, Los Angeles Sparks, 7th All-Star selection.Oguwimike, the first selection in the 2012 draft, was the 2016 WNBA MVP.Jonquel JonesForward, Connecticut Sun, 4th All-Star selection.AdvertisementOne of the best rebounders in the WNBA, Jones is the reigning MVP.Reserves: Kahleah Copper (G, Sky), Skylar Diggins-Smith (G, Phoenix Mercury), Jewell Loyd (G, Storm), Arike Ogunbowale (G, Dallas Wings), Emma Meesseman (F, Sky) and Alyssa Thomas (F, Sun).Brittney Griner (honorary)WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert named Griner, who has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17, an honorary starter for this year’s event.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 21Coach James Wade with Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Azura Stevens, Allie Quigley and Emma Meesseman at Chicago Sky media day on May 3, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)Kahleah CopperDrafted seventh overall in 2016 by the Mystics, the 6-1 guard was traded to the Sky in 2017 in the deal that sent Elena Delle Donne to the Mystics. The 2021 WNBA Finals MVP also won the 2022 Euroleague regular-season MVP. This is the Philadelphia native’s second straight All-Star appearance.AdvertisementEmma MeessemanThe 6-4 power forward was picked by the Mystics in the second round of the 2013 draft. In 2019, the Belgium native became the first reserve player in WNBA history to win Finals MVP. This is her second All-Star appearance.Courtney VanderslootSelected third overall by the Sky in the 2011 draft, Vandersloot will be making her fourth All-Star appearance. In 2021, the 5-8 point guard recorded the most assists in a single postseason in WNBA history.James WadeKnown as “Coco,” Wade is the Sky head coach and general manager. He was named the 2019 coach of the year. In 2021 he led the team to its first league championship. In this year’s All-Star Game, Wade will coach Team Stewart.AdvertisementWintrust Arena is located at 200 E. Cermak Road, near McCormick Place.There are three parking lots at McCormick Place, the closest to the arena located at 2301 S. Prairie Ave. Street parking is possible but not recommended — be conscious of signage requiring permits or other restrictions.Public transportation might be your best option. Wintrust Arena is served by CTA bus Nos. 3 King Drive, 21 Cermak Road and 4 Cottage Grove.You can take the CTA Green Line to the Cermak-McCormick Place stop, about three blocks from the arena, or the Red Line to the Cermak-Chinatown stop, about four blocks away.Two Metra stops — 18th Street and McCormick Place — are within walking distance for lines servicing the South Side.Friday, July 8AdvertisementOrange Carpet, evening: The WNBA social media accounts will cover players — and their sense of style — as they walk the orange carpet.Saturday, July 9New this year is WNBA Live, a series of events that will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the corner of East Cermak Road and South Indiana Avenue. The showcase is free but requires registration. Here are the events:Welcome, 11 a.m.: Sky players kick off WNBA Live with an official welcome.Title IX discussion, noon: Moderated by two-time WNBA champion Taj McWilliams-Franklin, the panel discussion features the Liberty’s Betnijah Laney and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and will focus on gender equity and the future of women’s sports.Viewing party, 2 p.m.: Join an outdoor viewing party for the 3-point contest and skills competition.Sky meet and greet, 3 p.m.: Sky players Kahleah Copper and Azurá Stevens are scheduled to meet fans.Basketball clinic, 3 p.m.: This free clinic focuses on teaching fundamentals to youth basketball players.Sunday, July 10All events take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at WNBA Live.AdvertisementAll-Star Game viewing party, noon: Fans not inside Wintrust Arena can attend a watch party hosted by DJ Megan Taylor.Celebrations, postgame: All-Star Game festivities conclude with a party and music from Chicago artist Senite.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 23Chicago Sky players, including MVP Kahleah Copper, celebrate after winning the WNBA championship on Oct. 17, 2021, at Wintrust Arena. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)Yes! The Sky guard and DePaul alumna will be aiming for her fourth title in the contest — that’s despite her promise that last year’s triumph would be her last appearance. Quigley also won in 2017 and 2018.“Everybody was talking to me nonstop about it,” Quigley said Wednesday. “I didn’t want to let the city down or my family and friends down. It’ll be fun and it’s nice that it’s at home. It’ll be a good experience.”The rest of the field has not been announced.Player activism: WNBA stars are among the most vocal athletes, in many cases more so than their male counterparts. Players this weekend undoubtedly will speak out on Griner’s detention in Russia and the U.S. government’s response to it.Players also have been outspoken about the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, LGBTQ rights and other issues.Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles’ relationship: Parker and Fowles have a long history together. They were opponents in college at Tennessee and LSU, Olympic teammates on Team USA in 2008 and 2012 and inducted into the SEC Hall of Fame at the same time. In the 2016 WNBA Finals, Parker and the Sparks defeated Fowles and the Lynx.AdvertisementIn Fowles’ final All-Star appearance, she and Parker are once again matched up as competitors.Friday, July 8Playa Society pop-up, 3-5 p.m.: The apparel brand will do giveaways and more at 16th Street Bar & Lounge, 75 E. 16th St.Wintrust Arena’s bag policy is stricter than most other Chicago sports venues. Purses, backpacks, cinch bags and fanny packs are prohibited.Clear tote bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches are OK, as are one-gallon plastic storage bags. A small clutch purse no larger than 4½ inches by 6½ inches is acceptable.Freelance reporter James Kay contributed.

Lifestyle

Humboldt Park alternative high school serving at-risk students lost half its staff. Educators say it leaves a void.

An alternative high school in Humboldt Park that has served as a “sanctuary” for hundreds of vulnerable Black and brown youth is losing nearly half of its small teaching staff because of budget cuts — a move that employees and alumni say limits the services they can provide and their ability to recruit more students attempting to reform their lives.“We are the answer to this gun violence. We are the answer to these unemployment numbers. We are the answer to helping those students because every student deserves to be seen. Every student deserves to be loved, and that’s what we do at Association House,” science teacher Andrea Czarkowski Ng told the Chicago Board of Education at its meeting last month.AdvertisementScience teacher Andrea Czarkowski Ng stands with other staff members outside Association House High School on June 29, 2022, in Humboldt Park. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)Czarkowski Ng and two of seven Association House of Chicago teachers are said to have received pink slips in June. And while Czarkowski Ng worries about her future, she is more concerned about the fate of the students at the Youth Connection Charter school, which is said to offer a “new path” to graduation for 16- to 21-year-olds who have been “left behind” by traditional public schools. The school is also expected to lose one full-time and one part-time child care program aide.Several teachers and some alumni attended last month’s Board of Education meeting to decry the cuts hours before the board approved the district’s $9.4 billion budget for the coming school year. The finger-pointing started almost immediately.AdvertisementChicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez said he was learning of the cuts for the first time at the board meeting. There was discussion among board members about how CPS provides money to charter operators, such as YCCS. These schools have autonomy over budgetary decisions, including staffing levels, CPS general counsel Joseph Moriarty said. An audit of each charter school’s finances is required to be conducted annually.YCCS Executive Director Sheila Venson said in a statement that, “Association House, as well as all YCCS vendors, are funded based on the student-based funding formula of CPS. How funds are budgeted and used to support the program is determined, in this case, by Association House.” Association House principal David Pieper said the school’s budget is down about $500,000 compared with the last school year, as enrollment declined 27%.Pieper lamented that the budget cut will “significantly impact” the school because its staff is already small and it thrives on student-staff relationships. Pieper pointed out that students of color from disadvantaged neighborhoods and those facing difficult life circumstances were disproportionately affected when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and remote learning was implemented.“Although we opened the door for in-person learning … it’s been an ongoing struggle to get them back,” Pieper said. “And though I’m starting to see success in getting the students back to school, it’s too late now since we’ve already been funded for next year.”The school often recruits students through word-of-mouth or social service agencies, Pieper said. Most of its students are in temporary living situations and require extra support, such as transportation and child care, he said. Pieper promises the school will offer “intensive support for students who have not been successful in traditional schools because of their life’s circumstances,” with the funding available.Association House employees say one of the perks of the program — free child care for kids as old as 5 — has taken a hit as well. Staff members say they can care for half as many kids as they used to because of cuts. Teachers worry about how this instability will affect their students.“Our kids are the kids that needed a second chance, that needed another opportunity and needed someone to tell them, ‘We believe in you. We care about you, and we’re going to sit with you until you get this done — however long that takes,’” mentor Jemina Lyle told the Tribune.“It takes a special type of educator to push us to succeed,” said Demiyon Eastling, an Association House alumnus turned after-school teacher. The school became his home after he attended eight elementary schools and two high schools. The Association House staff welcomes formerly incarcerated individuals, young parents, immigrant children who struggle with the language, and students with addiction or mental health issues, Eastling said.AdvertisementBoard President Miguel del Valle — who was once the executive director of Association House — said it was heartwarming to hear at the board meeting from graduates who achieved success once they received the necessary support. He noted enrollment in the program — and across CPS — has declined. Association House High School can’t be allowed to “fade away,” he said.“I think all of us — the teachers, the administration at Association House, the community, all of us have to ask ourselves, why aren’t there more students in that program? The need is there,” del Valle said.Ninety-eight students were enrolled at Association House High School in the fall of 2021, according to CPS data captured on the 20th day of school. About two-thirds of the students are Hispanic, while more than a quarter are Black. There were 155 students enrolled just two years ago, district data shows.The drop at Association House mirrors drops across the city’s schools, including at many of Youth Connection’s schools. Of 20 schools in operation as of the 2013-14 school year — the most recent comparable data available — enrollment dropped from above 4,000 to just over 3,100.Association House employees say they are needed more than ever.“These students have built these walls and protection from trauma and all the crap that they endure in their lives. We, like, slowly peel the onion back, and slowly let them open up,” Czarkowski Ng told the Tribune. “I see us as like this fertilizer to let these flowers bloom. They’re great kids, that just no one’s taken the time.”AdvertisementNancy Velazquez said her 20-year-old son, Benjamin, struggled with attendance at a district-run CPS high school. She turned to Association House for help.“They gave him an opportunity. He graduated this year, in 2022. It took many years for him to graduate, but he finally did it,” she said.The Chicago Teachers Union said Youth Connection should use any of its unspent federal COVID-19 funds to stop the Association House cuts. The union is also calling on the district to dip into its remaining $800 million in pandemic money, which must be allocated by the fall of 2024, to prevent job losses.In CPS district-run schools, 256 teachers have received layoff notices and 189 paraprofessional staff have been let go, according to CTU. Charter school data was not immediately known.The district said it has already appropriated $730 million in pandemic money for the next school year to focus on academic recovery and social and emotional learning supports. Nevertheless, budget cuts have claimed the longtime librarians at Coonley Elementary School in North Center and Nixon Elementary School in Hermosa, among others.“I can confidently say that the reason my administration waited until the very last moment of the school year to tell me this was the backlash that they knew they would receive from devastated staff, students and family. My students love me, and I love them,” outgoing Nixon librarian Leslie Westerberg said at last month’s board meeting.AdvertisementAt the meeting, parent Cheryl Conner highlighted the impact of budget cuts at Sabin Dual Language Magnet School in Wicker Park.“Eighty percent of families at Sabin are below the poverty line, and our school is 98% Black and Latinx students. This is a student population that has been really hurt in the pandemic,” Conner said. “Due to budget cuts, kids at Sabin are going from five specials to only three specials in the upcoming year. We’re losing technology and library classes.”In an emailed statement Friday, CPS said it is pumping an additional $240 million into its school budgets districtwide compared with this past school year. Per-pupil funding has also increased by 8%, CPS said.